Douglas World Cruiser – 写真&動画

ザ ダグラス ワールド クルーザー (DWC) was developed to meet a requirement from the United States Army Air Service for an aircraft suitable for an attempt at the first flight around the world. The Douglas Aircraft Company responded with a modified variant of their DT torpedo bomber, the DWC. Five aircraft were ordered for the round-the-world flight, one for testing and training and four for the actual expedition. The success of the World Cruiser bolstered the international reputation of the Douglas Aircraft Company. The design of the DWC was later modified to create the O-5 observation aircraft, which was operated by the Army Air Service.

ソース： ウィキペディアのダグラス ワールド クルーザー

ザ ダグラス ワールド クルーザー was a historic aircraft that achieved the first aerial circumnavigation of the world in 1924. It was developed by the Douglas Aircraft Company as a modified version of their DT torpedo bomber, which had been used by the US Navy. The World Cruiser had a steel fuselage, a larger wing and rudder, and six fuel tanks that increased its range and endurance. It could also switch between wheels and floats, depending on the terrain and weather conditions. The US Army Air Service ordered four World Cruisers for the expedition, named Seattle, Chicago, Boston, and New Orleans. They were piloted by four officers and accompanied by four mechanics.
フライトは1924年4月6日にシアトルを出発し、28か国と4大陸を横断するルートをたどりました。飛行は、悪天候、機械的な問題、敵対的な当局など、多くの課題に直面しました。ワールドクルーザーの1つであるシアトルがアラスカで墜落し、別の1隻であるボストンが大西洋で失われました。残りの2隻のワールドクルーザー、シカゴとニューオーリンズは、175日間飛行し、26,000マイル以上をカバーした後、1924年9月28日に旅を完了しました。ダグラスワールドクルーザーは、長距離航空の実現可能性と可能性を実証した驚くべき成果でした。